Page 4580 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 26 November 2019
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Adjournment
Motion (by Mr Gentleman) proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Valedictory
Multicultural affairs—Diwali
MR HANSON (Murrumbidgee) (3.17): I take this opportunity—this time of the year has come around—to thank my colleagues and wish you all a very merry Christmas. I would like to thank all of the Assembly staff, especially Mr Hamish Finlay, the secretary of the EDT committee, for putting up with me again this year.
As always, I would like to thank my fantastic staff, Mr Ian Hagan and Ms Jessica Hynson, for their professionalism, loyalty and friendship. This week I have been lucky to have Suhaan Bhagria working in my office. I recognise him—the very handsome gentleman sitting there in the front row. Suhaan is doing work experience. He is currently at Canberra Grammar School. I have been very impressed with his attitude, his intelligence and his outgoing personality. I am again reminded that our future is in good hands.
Suhaan, if you had not guessed from his name, is from our local Indian community. I will take the opportunity to read some of the words that Suhaan has drafted for me to recognise the Indian community for their contribution in augmenting the diversity and cultural life of Canberra.
The recent Diwali celebration held in Coombs was open to everybody. It was an outstanding display of culture and a major success. The 2016 census communicates that the Indian population in Canberra is 10,414. With this increasing number, it is fantastic to see the enthusiasm and nature that they present their culture with. I am pleased that they are willing to share that with the community and I look forward to more functions like this in the future.
I was delighted to hear that people are having a wonderful time. It is marvellous that there was such a diverse group there, as they got to experience a culture which they may not have encountered before this event.
Events like this are not possible without volunteers. I would like to thank everybody who kindly and willingly volunteered and assisted in the production of this event. This thankyou is also extended to the people who were preparing and serving delicious refreshments on the day, as well as to the Sikh temple for providing some of the materials necessary.
Canberra is a very multicultural state and it is very important to respect and learn about other cultures. Having more events such as this will strengthen the community as well as allow people to express their culture as a result of having more interactions and building new relations. I would like to encourage more cultural communities
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